Back Cast: How to Get Started in Carp Fishing, with Rick Mikesell

Back Cast: How to Get Started in Carp Fishing, with Rick Mikesell

Author: Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company June 16, 2026 Duration: 1:43:37

This episode was originally published on June 23rd, 2025.


In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting requests, including many questions about leaders and tippet.
What fly line should I use on my Helios 2 rod for dry-fly fishing?
What can I do to prevent my tippet from kinking?
What can you do when small stream trout refuse your fly?
I have been using heavier tippet and seem to be doing just as well as with lighter tippet.  What is your take on this?
Is there a big difference between various brands of tippet material?
Can I just add a tippet ring to my 9-foot 4X leader to make a nymph leader?
Should the butt section of my nymph leader be made from fluorocarbon?
What should I take on a multi-day fishing trip that I would not normally think of?
Why am I foul-hooking so many trout and whitefish this year?
What do you think of furled leaders?
What rod should I get for my 8-year-old daughter?  What rig should I start her out with?
What do you think of Crocs as inexpensive wading shoes?
What can you tell me about an older Orvis rod I purchased?
How can I tighten the drag on an older spring-and-pawl fly reel?
What is the deal with all these multi-fly rigs? Am I missing something by using a single fly?
Do people fish for trout with poppers?
Do I need sinking agents as well as flotants?
At the end of my drift I stripped in a dry fly and got strikes. Should I change my setup and move my flies a bit?


For anyone who’s ever felt the tug of a line or wondered about the quiet rhythm of a river, The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast is a steady companion. Host Tom Rosenbauer, a well-known author and the voice behind this series for The Orvis Company, doesn’t just offer tips; he shares a lifetime of curiosity spent on the water. Each week, the conversation unfolds like a guidebook coming to life, covering the tangible skills and the subtle philosophies that define fly-fishing. You’ll hear practical advice on technique and gear, certainly, but also deeper discussions about conservation, reading different waters, and understanding fish behavior. It’s that blend of straightforward education and reflective storytelling that makes this podcast unique. Whether you’re planning your first cast or have decades of experience, the aim is the same: to make your hours by the stream more thoughtful and rewarding. Tune in for a mix of solo episodes from Tom and interviews with other anglers, all grounded in a genuine passion for the sport and the wilderness it depends on. This is more than a series of lessons; it’s an ongoing dialogue for anyone who finds solace and challenge in fly-fishing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast
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